American Security

Policy Priorities

Maintain the America First Tradition in the National Security Profession
Bolster America's Economic Might
Expand America's Unrivaled Military Strength
End Endless Wars and Make Foreign Commitments Strategic
Secure the Southern Border
Eliminate Global Terrorists Who Threaten to Harm Americans

The twin American victories in the Second World War and the Cold War established our country as “the last, best hope for man on Earth.” Freedom’s cause in every part of the globe depends upon a strong America. With our country secure, we can, with greater confidence, advance American security abroad. American security is exemplified by a strong military, fair trade deals, alliances that are equitable, aggressors who are isolated, and those who harm us, destroyed. The America First Policy Institute (AFPI) examines American security abroad as a prerequisite for peace at home: always putting American interests first. This includes removing ourselves from endless, unnecessary wars in order to rebuild the homeland, while also understanding our indispensable role in maintaining a world at peace.

The America First Policy Institute’s American Security champions Americans rather than a theoretical “America” imagined by the Washington national security establishment. The exercise of American power requires clear justification, and an America First approach ensures that American power is used in the interest of Americans. To advance that goal, the American Security looks to ensure that there will be rigorous advancement of policies which will serve as an authentically American alternative to Washington’s increasingly obsolescent foreign and defense policy orthodoxy.

The phrase America First refers to an approach rooted in an awareness of America’s unique role in the world, and its unmatched ability to do best for others when its people are strong, safe, and prosperous. It means that any commitments of American lives or dollars abroad must come with concrete benefits to the American people. Every investment of American resources needs to reap a substantial security benefit.

Team

The Honorable Robert Wilkie

Chair, American Security

Lt. General (Ret.) Keith Kellogg

Co-Chair, American Security

The Honorable Fred Fleitz

Vice Chair, American Security

Jacob Olidort, Ph.D.

Chief Research Officer & Director of American Security

Ethan Tan

Policy Analyst, American Security

Ryan Nanartowicz

Policy Analyst, American Security

Benjamin Woolsey

Policy Analyst, American Security

James Carafano

Senior Fellow, American Security

Anna Hardage

Senior Fellow, American Security

John R. Thomas, Jr.

Senior Fellow, American Security

Latest

Op-Ed | March 27, 2026

European Leaders Now Know Trump Was Right: Iran Was an Imminent Global Threat

Iran’s failed strike on Diego Garcia exposed the truth: Tehran’s long-range ambitions were real all along—and Europe ignored the warning until it was too late.

Expert Insights | March 18, 2026

Sexual Abuse & Human Smuggling: Ensuring the Punishment Fits the Severity of the Crime

The United States Sentencing Commission (USSC) is responsible for establishing the federal sentencing guidelines that inform judges what the appropriate sentence should be for a defendant. A base offense level is assigned, which is a number based on the crimes the defendant was convicted of.

Op-Ed | March 17, 2026

Iran and the Crisis in the European Mind

The politics of the Iranian war feature an observable gap between interest and action for nearly all parties. The Americans possessed overwhelming casus belli versus Iran for nearly half a century, and did not act upon it until three weeks past.

Op-Ed | March 7, 2026

President Donald Trump’s Operation Epic Fury is firmly within the American Interest 

Early in the morning on February 28, 2026, the United States initiated a historic operation dubbed Operation Epic Fury, a once-in-a-decade chance to end the half-century war waged by the Iranian regime against the American people. Operation Epic Fury delivers on a priority President Donald Trump has emphasized repeatedly — to protect the American people from the Iranian regime’s threats. Not only has Iran threatened and claimed thousands of American lives, but it continues to seek to harm to us.

Issue Brief | March 5, 2026